The next election is the State/Presidential Election on November 5, 2024.
As union members, it’s critical we vote in every election and engage politically to protect what is worth fighting for — our bargaining rights, fair pay, secure retirement, and quality health care.
Council 4 has put together this list of resources and information so you can be informed and engaged during this election season. Please share this information with other members of your local.
Note: It’s not your union’s role to tell you who to vote for, just to inform you about candidates who support union values.
Council 4 PEOPLE Committee Political Endorsements
Council 4 PEOPLE Committee delegates endorsed the following candidates for the November 5, 2024 state elections. An asterisk * signifies that a candidate is an active or retired AFSCME.
If you would like to get involved, please contact our Legislative & Political Team (Brian Anderson & Zak Leavy) by emailing [email protected]
Endorsed Candidates by Congressional District
District 1
Geoff Luxenberg, House District 12
Tom Delnicki, House District 14***
Kate Farrar, House District 20
Mike Demicco, House District 21
Gary Turco, House District 27
Amy Morrin Bello, House District 28
Jane Garibay, House District 60
Maria Horn, House District 64
Michelle Cook, House District 65
Mary Fortier, House District 79
Doug McCrory, Senate District 2
MD Rahman, Senate District 4
Matt Lesser, Senate District 9
District 2
Nancy Hammarstrom, House District 8
Jane Wisalowski, House District 23
Nick Menapace, House District 37
Christine Conley, House District 40
Aundre Bumgardner, House District 41
Derrell Wilson, House District 46
Renee Lapalme Waldron, House District 51
Kurt Vail., House District 52***
Ann Bonney, House District 53***
Gregg Haddad, House District 54
Kevin Brown, House District 56
Jaime Foster, House District 57|
John Santanella, House District 58
Cynthia Mangini, Senate District 7
Cathy Osten, Senate District 19
Martha Marx, Senate District 20
Norm Needleman, Senate District 33
Merry Garrett, Senate District 35***
District 3
Josh Elliott, House District 88
Rebecca Hyland, House District 90
Laurie Sweet, House District 91
Steven Winter, House District 94
Moira Rader, House District 98
Robin Comey, House District 102
Kara Rochelle, House District 104
MJ Shannon, House District 117
Frank Smith, House District 118
Kaitlyn Shake, House District 120***
Martin Looney, Senate District 11
Christine Cohen, Senate District 12
Jorge Cabrera, Senate District 17
Brandi Mandato, Senate District 34
District 4
Beth Cliff, House District 112
Chris Rosario, House District 128
Cristin McCarthey Vahey, House District 133
Sujata Gadkar-Wilcox, Senate District 22
Herron Gaston, Senate District 23
Ceci Maher, Senate District 26
Rob Blanchard, Senate District 28
District 5
Rebecca Martinez, House District 22
David DeFronzo, House District 26
Ron Napoli Jr., House District 73
Farley Santos, House District 109
Kenneth Gucker, House District 138
Dominique Johnson, House District 143
Rick Lopes, Senate District 6
Paul Honig, Senate District 8
Jan Hochadel, Senate District 13
Julie Kushner, Senate District 24
*** AFSCME Member
Voter Registration
Everyone needs to update their voter registration if they changed their name or address, or haven't voted in a while. It only takes a few minutes to check your voter registration status:
If you are not registered to vote, you can do Same-Day Registration (SDR) which allows you to register to vote and cast a ballot at the same time if you meet the eligibility requirements for voting in Connecticut. SDR is only available for the general election.
Between Oct 21, 2024 and November 3, 2024 (Early Voting Period) early voting locations will also offer SDR. On November 5 (Election Day) only specific voting locations will offer SDR. These locations will often be the same as the Early Voting locations, but could differ. Click here to find SDR locations during Early Voting and Election Day
Click here for more info on SDR: MyVote.CT.gov.
Click the pdf link for voter registration flyer that includes QR code to check voter registration status: 
voter_registration_flyer_2.pdf
Click here for additional voter registration information, including talking points for encouraging others to register to vote.
Voting by Mail
If you have questions regarding voting by mail, call your local town/city clerk.
Click here to find your town/city clerk
*NEW THIS YEAR* Early Voting
2024 is the first year that Connecticut voters get to do Early Voting!
Early voting goes from Oct. 21 through Nov. 3 and you will be able to vote from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Oct. 29 and 31, when the hours are extended from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
During early voting, you will vote at an early voting location rather than at your regular polling site. Each city and town has at least one early voting location. Click here to find the early voting location in your city/town.
To learn how to vote early, click here to visit the Secretary of the State's website on Early Voting.
*NEW THIS YEAR* No-Excuse Absentee Voting is on the Ballot
Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to permit the General Assembly to allow each voter to vote by absentee ballot?
Connecticut voters will see the above question on their November 5 ballot.
- A "yes" vote supports authorizing our State Legislators to make absentee voting available to ALL eligible Connecticut voters for any reason.
- A "no" vote opposes any changes, keeping current language in the State Constitution that requires a voter to have a specific reason (from a list of 6) to request an absentee ballot.
What would the amendment do?
Currently, Connecticut voters can request an absentee ballot only if they cannot make it to the polls on election day for one of the following reasons:
- Active military service;
- Absence from town of residence during voting hours;
- Sickness;
- Physical disability;
- Religious beliefs precluding secular activity on election day; or
- Performance of duties as an election official at a different polling place during voting hours.
The amendment would authorize the Connecticut State Legislature to provide for absentee voting for all eligible voters with no specific reason required.
Under the amendment, an absentee ballot would still be returned either in person or by mail to the voter’s city or town clerk’s office by the close of business the day before the election, or dropped in an official ballot drop-box before the polls close at 8 pm on election day.
SOURCE: League of Women Voters of Connecticut
Other Voting Info
There are several options for bringing identification and they do not need to be a driver's license or have a photo. Click here to learn about the acceptable forms of identification
If you need a ride to the polls, contact your Registrar of Voters. Click here to find your Registrar of Voters.